290 THE DEVELOPMENT OF EHODESIA. 



to Lake Tanganyika to form part of the Khodesian section of the 

 great meridional highway from the Cape to Cairo. 



Ahhough the Victoria Falls will play an important part in the 

 economic development of Rhodesia when the immense power, there 

 available, is ntilized for industrial purposes, it is as one of the greatest 

 sights of the world that they will appeal to visitors, to whom they 

 are now rendered easily accessible. The fame of these falls has 

 resounded through Uie world since they were first made known by 

 Doctor Livingstone. It is therefore fitting that the township which 

 has been founded in their vicinity is to bear his name. The site of 

 the toAvn is near the left bank of the Zambezi, some 2 or 8 miles from 

 the falls, and the railway line to the north passes by it. 



The origin of the falls was ascribed by Livingstone to a volcanic 

 rift, and this view has been universally accepted. But another view 

 has l)een recently mooted regarding their physical history which 

 ascribes the origin of the chasm and canyon to erosive action." 



The Victoria Falls are about twice as broad and two and a half 

 times as high as Niagara. They are over a mile wide and about 

 400 feet high— higher than the top of St. PauFs Cathedral. The 

 Zambezi at al)out half a mile alcove the falls is one and a half miles 

 in breadth, then it contracts and is suddenly precipitated into a com- 

 paratively narrow, profound trench or canyon, at the eastern end of 

 which there is an outlet about 100 yards in breadth through which 

 the Avhole of the contracted Zambezi rushes, forming the Boiling 

 Pot, and thence through a deep and narrow gorge of basaltic cliffs, 

 which is continued in a narrow winding canyon of about 45 miles in 

 length. The railwa}^ will cross the gorge a few hundred yards 

 below the Boiling Pot. The bridge, built on the cantilever principle, 

 forms a handsome span 050 feet long, with a width that allows a 

 double line of railway. When completed it will be the highest bridge 

 in the Avorld. The falls themselves are not visible from the railway 

 where it crosses the river; but, in accordance Avith the wish of Mr. 

 Rhodes, the trains will pass through the perpetual spray rain while 

 crossinof the bridg-e. The vicinitv of the falls is celebrated for its 

 natural beauty, and parks are to be laid out on both banks of the 

 river. It is therefore hoped that the development of this renowned 

 locality will combine utility and amenity. 



There are two other renowned localities in Rhodesia which have 

 led to the building or projecting of branch railways. Near Bulawayo 

 are the renoAvned Matopo Hills, where Mr. Rhodes in 1890, unarmed 

 and accompanied only by an interpreter, had an interview with the 

 Matabele chiefs, which resulted in a speedy cessation of hostilities. 



« Vide " The Physical History of the Victoria Falls," hy A. .T. C. Molynenx, 

 F. (}. S., F. R. G. S. : The Geographical Journal, January, 1905. 



